Tyranny of Steel

While Berengar was managing the affairs of his realm, and preparing for an expedition to South Africa. Itami was modernizing her army and preparing for a major battle with the rebels. However, in Morocco, Hasan had already invaded North Africa and had made some significant gains in the little time since his troops had landed.

In every battle he had waged since he arrived on the continent, Hasan and the army of Al-Andalus had prevailed. Why wouldn ’t they? They were battle-hardened from years of fighting against the Catholics ’ attempt to reclaim Iberia and were now equipped with the best weapons money could buy. In the entire western world, only the arms used by the Imperial German Army were superior to Hasan ’s.

The soldiers of Al-Andalus were primarily equipped with rifled flintlocks, many of which were refurbished weapons previously used by Germany ’s forces, and twelve pound cannons modelled after the infamous M1857 12-pounder Napoleon from Berengar ’s past life.

They had even copied the tactics used by their German Counterparts, which while fighting offensively followed the principle of fire and maneuver employed by the Prussians in the Franco-Prussian War of Berengar ’s past life. Until now, the soldiers of Al-Andalus had been completely undefeated in their campaign.

With superior range and destructive capability, the first few engagements between Hasan and his rivals were total massacres. The war had only begun recently, and yet significant ground had been made after a few clashes with the enemy. In the previous battle, the enemy forces had broken ranks and fled further inland towards their capital. It was because of this that Hasan was hasty in his pursuit, not even realizing that such a tactic was a basic feigned retreat.

The thought did not even cross the young Sultan ’s mind. After all, his army was vastly superior to the enemy ’s, and he genuinely believed the war was practically over, despite the conflict beginning only recently. In the first few battles, he had smashed his enemy ’s forces and broken their will to fight. They had even fled towards the capital in fear of their lives. Hasan was brimming with confidence as he thought about such things.

Berengar? Who is Berengar? Has Berengar ever won a war as swiftly as I have now? These were the thoughts dwelled in the mind of the young Sultan as he smiled smugly while riding atop his steed. Currently, Hasan and his forces were marching through a ravine with their objective being on the other side.